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Research: MUSLIMATUN and colleagues
Listed in Issue 73
Abstract
MUSLIMATUN and colleagues, SEAMEO TROPMED Regional Center for Community Nutrition, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, investigated whether retinol and iron variables in breast milk and in serum postpartum were enhanced more with weekly vitamin A and iron supplementation during pregnancy than with weekly iron supplementation.
Background
Studies on the effect of vitamin A and iron supplementation during pregnancy on maternal iron and vitamin A status postpartum are scarce.
Methodology
In this randomized, controlled clinical trial, 88 pregnant women received a weekly supplement of iron (120 mg Fe as FeSO(4)) and folic acid (500 g), and another 82 received the same amount of iron and folic acid plus vitamin A (4,800 retinol equivalents (RE)).
Results
Transitional milk (4-7 days postpartum) had higher (p<0.001) concentrations of retinol and iron than mature milk (3 months postpartum). Compared with the weekly iron + folate group, the women who received the additional weekly vitamin A supplementation had a greater (p<0.05) concentration of retinol in transitional milk (as mol/L) and in mature milk (as mol/g fat). Serum retinol concentration at approximately 4 months postpartum did not differ significantly between the two groups; however, the vitamin A-supplemented group had significantly fewer (p<0.01) subjects with serum retinol concentrations 0.70 mol/L. Iron status and concentrations of iron in transitional and mature milk did not differ between the groups.
Conclusion
Weekly vitamin A and iron [plus folate] supplementation during pregnancy enhanced concentrations of retinol in breast milk, but not in serum, by approximately 4 months postpartum. No positive effects were observed on iron status and iron concentration in breast milk.
References
Muslimatun S et al. Weekly vitamin A and iron supplementation during pregnancy increases vitamin A concentration of breast milk but not iron status in Indonesian lactating women. The Journal of Nutrition 131 (10): 2664-9. Oct 2001.
